Cameras Ranked

70–200 Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM

The Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM is a zoom lens for Canon RF (Full frame) that covers 70-200 mm at f/2.8 and weighs 1070 g. Next to 3 other full frame Canon RF zoom lenses in its focal range, it suits you if you shoot in low light or want a blurrier background. If you carry it all day or travel light, every other one that does better on weight gives up brightness.

  • f/2.8widest aperture
  • 1070 gweight
  • 17bodies it fits
To one scale. Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM: length 146 mm, diameter 89.9 mm, filter thread 77 mm.146 mmø89.9
To scale from the maker's length and diameter, the mount on the left and the filter thread in yellow at the front. The rings are drawn, not measured.

Compare it with another lensAll Canon RF lenses

To one scale. Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM: length 146 mm, diameter 89.9 mm, filter thread 77 mm.146 mmø89.9
To scale from the maker's length and diameter, the mount on the left and the filter thread in yellow at the front. The rings are drawn, not measured.

Where it sits

3 lenses

Full frame Canon RF zoom lenses in its focal range that state each value, this one included. Each tick is one; the thick one is this one.

Bodies it fits

17 bodies

All cameras, by maker and mount

Specifications

Focal length
70-200 mm1
Widest aperture
f/2.81
Maximum magnification
0.23x1
Stabilization
5 stops2
Mount
Canon RF2
Covers
Full frame
Type
Zoom
Weight
1070 g2
Length
146 mm2
Diameter
89.9 mm2
Filter thread
77 mm2
On sale from
Nov 20193
Elements
172
Groups
132
Aperture blades
92
Weather sealed
Yes2
Focus motor
2x Nano USM2
Hood
ET-83F (WIII)2

Sources

  1. Wikidata, checked Oct 9, 2026 (CC0 1.0)
  2. Canon product specifications, checked Oct 6, 2026
  3. global.canon, cited by Wikidata for On sale from (Wikidata checked Oct 9, 2026; we didn't read this page)

Worked out by code, not stated by a source

  • Read from the lens name: each maker marks the sensor size a lens covers (Sony FE/E, Canon RF/RF-S, Nikon DX, Tamron Di III/Di III-A, Sigma DG/DC); every Fujifilm X lens is APS-C and every Micro Four Thirds lens is Four Thirds.
  • Prime or zoom, read from the focal length in the lens name.

Each value is checked automatically against the source it links, on the date shown. How we build these pages

† The makers' own tables, row by row, with labels in our plain words (translated where the maker's page isn't in English); each row's numbers are checked against the page it links.

Full specifications†

Show all 16 rows
Full specificationsCanon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM2
Diagonal angle of view34°00′ – 12°00′ (Diagonal)
Horizontal angle of view29°00′ – 10°00′ (Horizontal)
Vertical angle of view19°30′ – 7°00′ (Vertical)
Closest focusing distance0.7 /2.3
Lens construction13-17 (Groups Elements)
Diameter and length89.9 x 146.0 (Approx.)
Drive system2x Nano USM
Filter size77
Max magnification0.23x
Minimum aperture32
Diaphragm blades9
Anti-dust and moistureSupported
Weight1070 (Approx.)
Lens capE-77 II
Lens hoodET-83F (WIII)
Lens bagLP1424

How the pick works

  1. Widest aperture3

    Lower wins once they are 0.3 apart.

  2. Weight2

    Lower wins from a 12% gap.

  3. Focal length (longest)2

    Higher wins from a 15% gap.

  4. Focal length (widest)2

    Lower wins once they are 2 mm apart.

  5. Optical stabilization1

    Having it wins.

  6. Closest focus, wide end1

    Lower wins from a 15% gap. Compared only between lenses of the same focal length (widest).

  7. Filter thread0.5

    Lower wins once they are 5 mm apart.

  8. Lead for a pick1

Our pick or our take adds up the importance of each real difference, with these importances and thresholds: a gap smaller than its row's threshold is too close to call and counts as the same. They are our editorial choice, not a measurement, the same on every page, and they never read prices, sales or who sells it.

Paid placements0

How we rank, in full